Spring 2017 Big Deal Book of Technology

Grants 101: The Federal Grant Lifecycle

Source: grants.gov
Federal grants follow a linear pattern from the creation of the funding opportunity to the implementation of the award. The lifecycle is divided into three main stages.Read more...

Funding Digital Learning

Source: Office of Educational Technology
What school districts should consider as they update technology resources and how to plan for funding technology purchases. Also included in this article is a Dear Colleague Letter: Federal Funding for Technology PDF that provides examples of how funds under Titles I through IV of the ESEA, as amended by ESSA, and the IDEA may support the use of technology to improve instruction and student outcomes.

Building Fundable Budgets

Source: Charity Channel Press

Budget and budget narrative are key areas in which many grant proposals fall short. A poorly written budget can ruin an otherwise good proposal. Here are some tips for writing fundable budgets and responsive budget narratives.

Five Ways to Build Donor-Centered Relationships

Source: Get Fully Funded

Every nonprofit organization needs donors to survive, but it is a big challenge for many to get and retain them. This article lays out five tips on how you can build the right relationship with your donors and help sustain your organization year after year.

How to Write Grants for the STEM Classroom

Source: Classroom Tips - The Blog

With tight budgets, many teachers are turning to grants to supplement their funds for resources that will enhance their students' learning opportunities in the classroom. Grants can enable teachers to invest in special projects, purchase equipment, and engage students in motivation-based activities. This article provides tips specifically for writing grants for STEM projects, but the tips can be applied to any subject.

How Social Media Can Help Your Grant Writing

Source: Professional Grant Writer

When writing a grant proposal, you want to use every resource at your fingertips, including social media. This article provides insight into how your grant writing may benefit from your use of social media.Learn more...

12 Tips for Completing and Submitting Online Applications

Source: Philanthropy News Digest

As more funding organizations require grant proposals to be submitted online, be sure you understand the difference between online and traditional paper grant applications. Check out these tips to make sure you don't lose anything when converting to a different format.

Education Grants 101 - Reasons Why Proposals Are Not Funded

Source: Illinois State Board of Education

Successful grant writing requires concentrated effort and attention to details. It's the small things that can make a huge impact in whether a grant is approved. Check out these reasons why a proposal may not be funded to make sure you avoid common pitfalls.

Grant Writing Tips

Source: Lone Eage Consulting

As schools and districts continue to encounter budget struggles, writing grant proposals is becoming the norm. Here are tips and resources for writing an award-winning proposal for your school or classroom.Learn more...

How to Write Educational Grants

Source: Sharon L. Cohen, eHow Contributor

While many common factors exist across all types of grant proposals, those for education funding have their own unique criteria. Check out this article to help you craft your next education proposal.

Proposal Writing Short Course

Source: Foundation Center

Fundraising is an art as well as a science: It requires both creativity and flexibility. It also requires following a proven process for writing a successful proposal. This short tutorial provides an easy-to-follow walkthrough of the process of successful proposal writing.

Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal: The Budget

Source: Learner Associates

One of the biggest challenges in writing a grant proposal is developing a budget for your project. Finding the balance between too much detail and not enough to demonstrate what your school or district will do with the grant funds is difficult. This article will help you create a realistic budget and carefully think through exactly what you need from the funding agency to successfully implement your project.

Ten Ways to Make Your Grant Writer's Time Count

Source: Philanthropy News Digest

If your organization hires a grant writer, be sure that you are making the most of the writer's time. You can't expect a grant writer to be successful if you don't provide the tools needed to complete the grant application. Here are some tips to make sure you get the biggest "bang for your buck" - and the biggest grant, too!

Tips for Writing and Managing a Federal Grant

Source: ProfessionalGrantWriter.org

Winning a federal grant is not an easy process, and managing your grant once you win it is often the beginning of the work. Check out these tips on what to do once you've been awarded a federal grant.Get management tips...

Best Practices in Grant Writing

Source: The Monsanto Fund

Often the best way to write a great grant is to study successful grant applications and mimic their style and content. Check out the best practices outlined in these webinar slides and be sure to download and save the objectives and budget templates for use when preparing your next grant proposal.

Grant Writing Toolkit: The Needs Statement

Source: Center for Nonprofit Excellence

A needs statement answers the question: "Why Care?" The needs statement of your grant proposal is key to getting reviewers emotionally involved and convinced that their funding can make a big difference in your community. This PDF "toolkit" dissects the needs statement and provides tips for writing a winning one.